Real president insists he won't risk United relationship over Ronaldo deal

06 Jun 2009 10:32:41

Real Madrid's relationship with Manchester United is more important thansigning Cristiano Ronaldo, according to club president Florentino Perez.
Madrid's high-profile pursuit of United's Portuguese winger appears to havebeen put on the backburner this summer as they attempt to sign AC Milan'sBrazilian superstar Kaka.
And Perez, who recently returned for a second stint as president at theBernabeu, insists he would not pursue the club's targets in a manner which couldjeopardise his relationships with other top clubs.
'If one day there is a chance of [Ronaldo] playing for Real Madrid, that wouldbe an honour for us,' he told The Times.
Let's be friends: Real's re-elected president Florentino Perez is keen to maintain strong links with the world's best clubs
'But if I had to choose between the friendship with Manchester United and thesigning of Ronaldo, I would choose the friendship.
'Plus, I have never said that Cristiano will arrive in June. That is an arrogant and false statement.'
He continued: 'I shall be talking with [United manager Sir Alex] Ferguson and [chief executive] David Gill to build bridges.
'If we sign Kaka from Milan, I can assure you that we will still have a very good relationship with [vice president Adriano] Galliani.'